Sin Eater (Iconoclasts, #2) By Mike Shel

Nick Borrelli

Mike Shel is an author who is really making quite a name for himself in the self-published Fantasy stratosphere. Mike's first book in his Iconoclasts series, Aching God, was one of my favorite reads from last year and is currently among the top 10 finalists in Mark Lawrence's Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off #4. That right there should give you just some indication of the quality of storytelling that Shel brings to the table. I have been impatiently waiting for the next book in this series for what seemed like an eternity on the heels of the amazing finish of Aching God. So when Mike offered me the opportunity to read an advance copy of his second installment SIN EATER, well I think I just about jumped out of my skin with excitement. Shortly thereafter I pulled up a couch, popped open a hoppy adult beverage, and settled down for what I hoped was going to be another mesmerizing read.

The opening pages of SIN EATER return us to the world of the Hanifaxan Imperium, at the center of which is all powerful ruler Queen Geneviva, "long may she reign". The Queen still rules her empire with an unquestioned iron fist and still has a penchant for human blood and flesh from time to time due to a sorcery-enhanced healing that went horribly wrong years ago. Following the tumultuous events at the end of Aching God, we find the main character from that book, Auric Manteo significantly the worse for wear. Battling with an evil god will do that to you and what is left of Auric is a hardened, troubled, and aged shell of the man he once was.

Auric's only reward from that encounter, if you could call it that, is an ancient Djao civilization relic in the form of a sentient sword called Szaa'da'shaela. The sword speaks to him and often guides him in times of trouble. It can also be a bit rude and overbearing at times, so Auric picks and chooses the times he wants to communicate or ask for the sword's help very carefully. It does have its uses though and Auric struggles with trying to harness its power for his benefit.

Auric's daughter Agnes is now a respected member of the Syraeic League who constantly worries about her father's mental well-being and general state of physical health. Calloused by the traumatic effects of the devastating plague that almost took her life, she has come out on the other side a much stronger person. Her main concern is making sure that her father is protected and that he recovers fully from the awful encounter with the Aching God. She will have other concerns very quickly however, as she and her father are summoned in a strangely cryptic letter to appear at The Citadel before the Third Lictor of the Syraeic League, Pallas Rae.

Upon their arrival, Pallas Rae reveals that a significant threat is about to envelope the kingdom and the only way that this can be averted is by travelling to the distant labyrinths of Gnexes to carry out a secret mission for the Queen. Matters soon come to a head as the Citadel of the Syraeic League comes under violent attack by an angry mob who seem to be under the influence of an enchantment of some kind. It is now obvious that Auric, Agnes, and a few select Syraeic associates embark immediately on a pilgrimage through questionable towns, hazardous terrain, and freezing cold temperatures to infiltrate Gnexes and carry out their arduous task. But can they get there in time to avoid the growing revolution that is brewing outside The Citadel's gates?

I was absolutely blown away by SIN EATER in a way that I haven't been by a book in a long time. The story raises the stakes from the first book by a number of degrees. Each character has been changed in different ways by the events that transpired in Aching God. Auric is much more vulnerable and traumatized both mentally and physically. His appearance depicting the tremendous amount of pain and stress that he was put through in that desperate battle in the Barrowlands. The gray hair and stooped countenance hint at a man who has been put through the ringer and is now trying to reclaim some semblance of the warrior he used to be.

Agnes on the other hand has grown immeasurably in the other direction. She has taken up the mantle of the Syraeic League and run with it. The fact that she was the primary point of view character in SIN EATER made this book even more enjoyable than Aching God in my opinion. Another aspect that I just can't get enough of is the creepiness of Queen Geneviva and her feral outbursts. Not since Pryrates from Tad Williams' Memory Sorrow and Thorn have I encountered a villain with such unpredictability and evil oozing from every pore. I literally despised her character and yet I kept hoping that the next chapter would center on her. If you like evil antagonists, this series has one of the best you'll find anywhere.

On top of all of the amazing characters, you have the excellent world-building of a seasoned pro. Mike Shel's descriptions are vivid and captivating with even more dark and magical locales than in book one. The pilgrimage to the labyrinths of Gnexes was such an incredible setting and really built up the tension for the conclusion of the book. And what a conclusion it was! So many times the second book in a series is simply used to set up the following book. Shel does not take his foot off the gas pedal though and the ending was so good that I forgot there was more to come. The ending is one that left me utterly breathless.

If you are in the mood for an entertaining read brimming with dark sorcery, labyrinthine twists and turns, villains who are creepy as hell, and a story that will keep you transfixed well into the early morning hours, then Mike Shel's Iconoclasts is the series that you should be reading.

Laura Hughes

A stunning sequel that takes everything I loved about the first book - intrigue, dungeon delving, and a protagonist you can really root for - to the next level. The introduction of a new POV (Auric's daughter, Agnes) brings more depth to both main characters, and makes the shocking climax that much more poignant.

As always, Shel's prose is an evocative mix of poetic and brutal; almost archaic in places, but never dry; and he excels at gradually ratcheting up the tension to near-unbearable levels, especially in the thrilling dungeon-crawl scenes which are something of a hallmark of his writing.

Sin Eater is easily the best novel I've read so far this year, and the Iconoclasts trilogy(?) is rapidly becoming one of my all-time top fantasy series.

Mike (the Paladin)

I'm really sorry to give this book only 3 stars. I really liked the first in this epic series. This one...falls a bit short.

I suppose we who read a fair amount can be used to this. I don't know how many series I've read that began extremely well only to founder. This may simply be a case of second book syndrome I won't know until I move on to the next, which I intend to do.

Here we open with an interesting extension to the last book so the book quickly draws the reader in. Then (for whatever reason) we move into a long section of the novel rife with info dumps, excessive detail and (especially sad for me) repetition. There are flashes of movement in this long trek where it seems the book will gain momentum only it grinds to a halt.

THis goes on for between 2/3 and 3/4 of the book. Then (the reason it gets 3 stars) it picks back up and the closing chapters are almost as good and enthralling as (I found) the first novel. Had the entire book been as good (as well written?) as the last quarter it would easily have been a 4 star read.

So, with reservations and a warning to know it was for me a bit of a slog through a lot of the book I recommend you try it. I'd say try it especially if you liked the first in the series and want to follw the series.

The Nerd Book Review

I’ll leave a better review later but quick thoughts.

I loved the book but it was a bit slow at times and could be accused of being an awful lot of world building with a fair amount of small action scenes widely interspersed with large action scenes. I personally love world building and I go dumps so I was very into it, if that’s not your thing though this book probably isn’t for you.

Character building was as good in this book as the first one.

Already mentioned a ton of world building, probably more than the first book. It really gets into the religion of the world this book.

Adam

Have you ever sat down to watch “The Wizard of Oz,” but wished that Dorothy was a Holy BladesWoman and instead of visiting a wizard, they’re off to murder an evil trickster god? If so, have I got a book for you! Mike Shel’s, um, iconic Iconoclasts trilogy continues with his second entry, Sin Eater, an impressive follow-up to SPFBO4 finalist Aching God that explores inner fears, outer terrors, and expands the world’s lore farther than I ever could have imagined.

Like its predecessor Aching God, Sin Eater is a methodical and rewarding build over the course of its length. The story’s point of view switches between our old tortured friend Auric, his estranged daughter Agnes, and a mysterious but prescient old man with a long history and many names. Auric, Agnes, some old and new companions are sent on a mission they can’t refuse to fulfill a duty from which no one will likely return. In the meantime, the world is descending into chaos: the god of trickery has left the Pantheon and his disciples have been spreading destruction, murder, assault, and poison throughout the civilized lands. Nowhere is safe, and something must be done.

Shel includes various small details and fine touches of descriptions that enrich the story and fleshes out his characters. I enjoyed how he took his time with the reader, letting us get to know the habits of our growing cast, their desires, and their fears. There is one moment where “Agnes tilted her head into Chalca’s shoulder and hugged herself against him. After a few moments, she spoke.” This is a quiet moment without dialogue, but the care is expressed in body language between these two: he rustles her hair to help her sleep at night, or she leans into him after sharing a difficult story. I appreciated reading these silent, physical reactions to certain situations. They felt honest and real, and I’m glad dialogue wasn’t leaned on to portray these scenes.

There is an overarching mystery that lies central to the plot that becomes ever more complex as Auric and Agnes grow closer to its source. Little did I know that the answers it gave would not only serve as a satisfying solution to this story, but it answered so, so much more. Shel writes an interesting take on religion, and whether it is to be viewed as commentary to our own society is up to the reader. Still, it’s something to think about, and quite a shock when all is finally revealed.

Sin Eater is as much a journey into the center of an ancient mountain as it is a journey into discovering what fears we all carry within us. There are so many stories-within-a-story at play here, and it’s a testament to Shel’s talent to have their underlying themes tie into the greater thread of the Iconoclasts tapestry. The one item I wished could have been improved upon is that we delve a bit deeper into some of the supporting characters’ lives. We are given sketches of their backgrounds, but it would have been wonderful to witness the “Sin Eater treatment” of Qeelb and Chalca and another character or two. Even so, Sin Eater further solidifies Shel as a one of the brightest new talents in fantasy, and I’m looking forward to seeing to what horrors and madness he’ll be dragging his readers through next.

8.8 / 10

Mark Romero

Nicely done. It's not easy (I think) to switch from single POV to multiple POV, but the author pulled it off. Similar tale of adventure as the first with a bit more world building and overall story progression. Can't wait for the third installment.

I learned from book 1 and started this one a bit earlier in the day so I didn't have to stay up til the wee hours of the morning lol. Still crushed it though.

Calvin Park

Sin Eater is the sequel to 2018’s Aching God. Mike Shel carries us once again to the Hanifaxan Imperium and treats us to another dark and disturbing tale. Sin Eater keeps the stunning ambiance and atmosphere from the first novel and couples it with more complex characters and deeper world building. Every bit as readable and engaging as the first novel, pick this one up as soon as you can.

There is a lot to love about Sin Eater. For me, that begins with the setting. The Hanifaxan Imperium is a wonderful fantasy setting that tilts tropes just enough to become truly interesting. From a god of chaos who is worshiped widely to a mad queen whose every scene drips with creepiness the world shines because of the ambiance with which Shel is able to imbue it. We’re also given a much wider view of the world in this novel. In Aching God Auric Manteo was our sole viewpoint character. In the sequel, Shel continues giving us more of what we love with Auric, but also gives us chapters from his daughter, Agnes’, perspective as well as a few chapters from the perspective of an old man going by the name of Ush’oul. This serves to allow us a larger perspective on the world. The battles and fights are tense, tightly written. Shel writes disturbingly descriptive prose that creates vivid, sometimes grotesque, images. Violence is appropriately disturbing in his books, even more so when magic is involved. In addition, many of the questions we’re left with at the end of Aching God receive satisfying conclusions, or at least get fleshed out a great deal more. The characters themselves are also wonderful companions for this journey. In addition to Auric and Agnes, we meet Kennah, another Syraeic agent, as well as Chalca, a thespian thief, and Qeelb, a broken sorcerer. Sira Edjani also makes a return. I found the side characters to have extremely strong characterizations. I particularly enjoyed Chalca and Qeelb, partially for their banter, but also because each, in their own way, has a fascinating backstory that affects their current actions in profound ways. Chalca also reminds me a great deal of Sylvando from Dragon Quest XI—and that’s a wonderful thing. This one’s worth reading for the characters alone. Not only does Shel craft some wonderful characters, but he sets down a plot that grows truly epic by the end of the novel. The ending is incredibly satisfying while leaving enough questions to ensure that the trilogy’s final volume will be every bit as exciting as the first two entries.

There are a few things that didn’t entirely work for me. There were a couple moments in the first forty percent where things felt like they might have been able to be tightened up a little more. Because much of the action in the first half takes place in one geographical location, it feels a little bit like the plot doesn’t start moving along until the characters start traveling. This isn’t entirely accurate, but the feeling exists. There was still enough to hold my attention during that section of the novel and keep the pages turning, but it is worth noting that the story perhaps feels slower than it truly is during the first half. Also, there is an attempted sexual assault in this novel, which for some may cause pause.

Shel has given us a gem in Sin Eater. Wonderful ambiance, delightful characters, and a plot that expands to become authentically epic all combine for a splendid and satisfying read. Those who enjoyed Aching God will not be disappointed!

9/10

4.5/5 stars.

5 – I loved this, couldn’t put it down, move it to the top of your TBR pile
4 – I really enjoyed this, add it to the TBR pile
3 – It was ok, depending on your preferences it may be worth your time
2 – I didn’t like this book, it has significant flaws and I can’t recommend it
1 – I loathe this book with a most loathsome loathing

Dustin

5⭐️
This series is awesome. Why? It’s what I look and hope for in modern fantasy writing. In some ways it feels classic but it has some thoroughly modern ideas. The way Mike Shel doesn’t lean heavily on exposition, but has created a brilliant and nuanced world. The characters are flawed, make human mistakes and the story shows honest reactions to pain, grief and guilt. And it’s got plenty of excitement revolving around some interesting quests.
Sin Eaters takes elements that are hinted at in the excellent Aching God and expands them. Ups the ante is an understatement.
There are some truly poignant passages that had me tearing up for sure. The scene between Auric and the Sin Eater was masterful. I haven’t read an entire series in a row in a long time- I’m usually too impatient. Luckily, I can move along to Idols Fall and I can’t wait.

“We don’t grow because of pain. We grow in spite of it. We learn from our failures, we atone for our sins, we strive to leave a better world for our children. Our children.”

Lezlie The Nerdy Narrative

Sin Eater is the second book in Mike Shel's Iconoclasts trilogy. I really enjoyed the first book, Aching God, but holy moly did Sin Eater knock my socks off! I loved the forming of the group, loved the premise and purpose of the quest, the magic was so much DARKER - the character development was top notch - I literally loved everything about this novel. Don't get me wrong - the first book was instrumental in world building and laying out how things work in the different cities/towns/kingdoms as well as the religions factions and the gods they worship. They left Sin Eater wide open for major plot development and Mike Shel did not disappoint. Dark fantasy at its finest right here.

I plan to get straight into the third book of the trilogy - I have to know what happens next!

Alec Hutson

Sin Eater is a excellent follow up to one of my favorite reads of 2018, The Aching God . I loved The Aching God because it was a throwback to the dungeon-delving adventures that swept me away as a kid, but Mike Shel elevated the concept for my adult sensibilities with the depth of the characters and excellent worldbuilding. Sin Eater is a slightly different book, taking a step back and bringing a more epic feel to the adventure. We still have the terrific writing and strong characters, but now there's a clear overarching world-shaking plot afoot. And it's a good one, I'm intrigued. We do go on a bit of a dungeon delve into the depths of the Oracle, but to me, this was less Forgotten Realms and more Gene Wolfe. Seriously, I got very strong Gene Wolfe vibes as Auric and Agnes pursued their divine quarry, mostly because of the surreal encounters they have. I did call the big plot twist almost immediately, well before the reveal, but it's hard to sneak those past me :-). Sin Eater more than fulfills the promise of The Aching God and resoundingly declares that Mike Shel is one of the most exciting new fantasy authors out there.

Jon Adams

This was an excellent follow-up.

I really enjoyed the new POV and thought Mr. Shel handled it well. There is a lot more world-building in this book than the first, but I dig that kind that of thing so it wasn't an issue. We still have lots of well-written action to balance it out. I did predict two of the big happenings towards the end, but it was so well written that it didn't take me out of the story.

If you haven't started this series, get on it!

For an indie ARC this had very few errors. I've read a lot of mainstream books that weren't ARCs lately that had many more. Well done.

ARC provided by Mr. Shel basically because I begged him.

Phil Parker

There is a sweet spot in all good fantasy stories where world building and characterisation meet; Mike Shel knows that place well. He’s found it again in the second of his Iconoclasts series.
His world is a place where religion and magic combine to create a society riddled with corruption, cruelty and menace. Its inhabitants worship gods which serve specific purposes, their priests imbued with magical abilities to address those purposes using prayer. It’s an interesting philosophical paradigm, for magic to be a product of prayer, there are lots of atheists who would have lots to say about that!
Good world building, I was once told by a writing tutor, should always flow from the macro to the micro level. The premises that underpin its landscape and its society should manifest themselves in every aspect of life and that’s what Mike has got so right here.
An evil god has corrupted the foul, crazed queen of this society. But this corruption penetrates far deeper, the stench of this corruption can be sensed everywhere, in people’s actions and disregard for others. We see this in the opening chapters as violence manifests itself, and by doing so, illustrates a pervasive sickness.
It is into this world we meet the characters who will play their roles in trying to heal this sickness. What makes the story so successful, where it hits this “sweet spot”, is in the faults and weaknesses of these people. There are no heroes here, nor are there anti-heroes in the grimdark tradition either. They are normal folk committed to helping others by finding the remedy, despite their own insecurities, guilt and shame.
We meet Auric Manteo, the protagonist in the first book again, along with his daughter Agnes. They are primarily (though not entirely) the narrators of the story. They are complex people who reflect the intricacies of the world, both tainted by its corruption and trying to do their best despite it. People damaged by events caused by this world-wide sickness.
For me, the strength of this book lies in the characters forged in this way. It examines the human condition from a position of expertise; Mike Shel is a clinic psychologist who has worked with survivors of trauma. For this reason, each person is explored with such intelligence, sensitivity and insight. In some reviews of Aching God I struggled to understand how anyone could believe characters lacked depth, were no more than ciphers. I think they must have missed the subtlety. In this story, we gain consistent insight, not just into the minds of Agnes and Auric, but the wealth of characters who support the narrative. Each one has a distinct identity and is a product of the wider world at large.
Finally, I liked this book for one more reason. It is an intelligent, thought-provoking essay on us, as a race. You don’t need to look too deeply to see the allegories that comment on organised religion, humanity’s dependence on the concept of higher beings in order to cope with a world with its own corruptions and sicknesses. This world mirrors ours and leaves the reader with opportunities to reflect on it.
Yet it is a fantasy and, in addition to making us think, we are taken on an exciting, thrilling adventure where monstrous creatures lurk, waiting to pounce and thwart the actions of our protagonists.
As all very good books should do, it has left me profoundly affected by its story. I like a good adventure but this story gave me something extra, it made me think too. I’m hoping the ending provides a follow-up, because there is so much of this world that needs exploring and I can’t wait to see where it goes next.

DaMaar

The Prodigal Daughter

Aching God was in my top 3 books for 2018. I assumed this would continue with Sin Eater. That wasn’t the case. I found that I couldn’t love this story as I did the first because I found Agnes a much less interesting character than her father. The writing was still good and the world is well done. But this is a character driven book - and I couldn’t connect with what ultimately was the Main POV.

Favorite Line: we don’t grow because of pain. We grow in spite of it.

Sarah

https://www.bookwormblues.net/2021/10...

Aching God was a book that blew me away. I almost immediately moved on to Sin Eater because how could I not? Aching God left me, well, aching. I ended up devouring Sin Eater. I enjoyed this book in a way I haven’t enjoyed a book in a while. Shel can tell a story in a way that just gets under my skin.

The culminating events in Aching God were rough, and one thing I wanted to see was how Shel handled the fallout of such a conflict. One of my big bugaboos in fantasy is this odd proclivity protagonists have to undergo these massive confrontations and then bounce back from them (mentally, emotionally, and physically) as though almost nothing happened. I had a feeling Shel wouldn’t do that, though. He seems like an author who relishes the reality of his characters’ conditions too much to allow them to simply move past something as weighty as what Auric has had to undergo.

The Auric in Sin Eater is a different character than the one you were introduced to in Aching God. He’s aged, and stooped, wizened almost, as though the confrontation took something away from him he will never get back. His daughter, Agnes, worries over his mental and physical health. Auric has been indelibly marked by what he underwent in the first book in the series, and it’s not easily gotten over or moved past. It has left him changed and honestly, I loved that about him. The raw, realness of his condition was both sad, but it also really delighted me. Here, we have a character who has suffered, who is suffering, and who will continue to suffer. He has to fight to return to some semblance of himself. It’s not the suffering I like, rather Shel’s unflinching desire to show the ramifications of large events on a personal, powerful level.

Does this mean Auric is a dull character? Not in the least. In fact, he only seemed to gain interest for me in Sin Eater. He’s complex, and maybe a bit darker than he felt in Aching God. If anything, his changes just made him feel that much more real.

Agnes also gets a perspective in this book, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about her. Agnes has had a complicated life, and now that she has survived, she has grown into herself. She is, perhaps, harder because of what she had underwent (who wouldn’t be?) but no less fascinating for all her callouses. There is also another, more mysterious, perspective that enters the fray. I was a bit worried how Shel would transition from one perspective to multiple in the second book, but he did a great job with it. I think this might be a bit of the book’s strength, because having numerous perspectives gave me a different, more well-rounded view of the world and the events that transpire in it.

Soon, Agnes and Auric are called away and thrust into another question and Shel gets to display his writing prowess again. There are very few authors who can match the worldbuilding mastery of Mike Shel. The world they travel through is strange and captivating. There is an atmosphere infusing this book that I loved, dark and mysterious, and yet balanced by the light found in the bonds that form between the characters. Shel expands the world and adds detail and nuance to it. He gives readers time to breathe and absorb everything he has and is creating. His prose brought landscapes and scenes to life with an almost brutal poetry. This made scenes, like some of the battles, and scenes toward the finale come to blazing life in my mind’s eye.

There is a bit of a mystery at the core of Sin Eater, and it seems to only loom larger as the book progresses. In some ways, I felt like this was a “roll the snowball down the hill” kind of plot. Things start out well enough, smaller and fairly contained, and then as the book gets going, everything seems to get larger, more complex, more immediate, and darker. There are threads here that will clearly bind the series together, and then there are some that are going to likely end up being book-specific. What I mean is, this book answers enough questions to satisfy the reader, but will also leave you gaping, and eagerly tracking down the next book.

The core of Sin Eater was fascinating, and I felt, in some ways, like Shel wasn’t just telling a good story but playing on a deeper theme as well. Sin Eater is a fun book to read, but it works on numerous levels. The evil god, the religion, the violence, the corruption was all interesting (and honestly, some of the best antagonist work I’ve ever seen), but it all felt a bit deeper as well. Here, we have a book that examines the fears we carry within us, the weight of pain, the burden of morality. Characters don’t miraculously heal. Previous trauma isn’t forgotten. Life is messy and hard, and pain is felt physically, mentally, and emotionally and that matters. And still, the characters push through because that’s life. You keep going–for belief, for duty, for love, for curiosity, or desire–because what other option is there? In the face of extreme odds, of dark shadows, violence and outrage, mystery and mayhem, they keep going. This humanization, this realism, made every part of Sin Eater shine.

And so we are left with a tapestry created by a master artist. Shel knows exactly how to weave his story together with the greatest finesse. Sin Eater is combination of complex elements that, under his skilled touch, combine to create a book that had me holding on with bated breath until the very last page.

Sin Eater was a stunning installment to a series that has quickly turned into one of my favorites out there. Mike Shel is a fantasy master.

Travis Riddle

Sin Eater expands on the strengths of the first book, raising the stakes in this creepy, fantastical world while bringing us--and its cast of characters--closer to the truth that we'll have to face in the trilogy's finale.

Once again, Shel has created a story filled with fascinating characters and locales. Those who had issues with the pacing of the original novel will probably not find this one an improvement (we still spend a majority of the book either in one place or traveling, with only the last bit of the book taking place in its destination), but this structure never bothered me in either book. Just like in Aching God, Shel brings us and the party through wildly interesting and varied places. Nothing felt like a retread of the first book, and we got to experience new sights and learn about aspects of the world and its cultures that were either briefly or not at all touched on in the previous book. It expands the world in a great way, showcasing Shel's world-building skills; every detail feels real, every place and ritual and belief feels rich and lived-in and believable.

The characters were similarly unique and interesting. Returning from the last adventure are Auric and Sira, while Auric's daughter Agnes (who's also a new POV character), fellow Syraiec knight Kennah, a broken sorcerer named Qeelb, and an actor/versatilis named Chalca join the party this time around. I was most intrigued by Qeelb and his history/power, though everyone gets their moment in the story's spotlight. Naturally Auric and Agnes get the most development, being POV characters, but Shel does a good job of juggling a fairly large cast of characters.

I don't want to get into the plot much, as its developments routinely surprised and excited me, so I don't want to spoil that experience for anyone else. But rest assured it's just as strange, interesting, creepy, and thrilling as Aching God, once again telling its own complete tale while tying into the larger narrative and setting up what's sure to be a grand finale.

Chip

I kind of find it hard to believe these are Mike Shel's first books. The depth and complexity of these two books is amazing for a rookie author. Highly recommended!

Ruth

I did not get along with this sequel at all, but the ending was intriguing enough that I'm going to give the third book a go at some point. The first book was a promising descent into fear and madness - bad things happen (and often), but much of the horror comes from hints of bad things which have happened in the past and are only later described in detail, or general creeping unspecified dread. This one just feels like awful things happening all the time - disembowlings, angry mobs, hangings, an overly long attempted rape scene, etc. All of this is in service of describing a world which is slowly falling into chaos, but it just felt excessive rather than meaningful or evocative. The characters didn't land as well for me this time around, either. For instance, I couldn't tell you a thing about Chalca's personality beyond his basic rogue character stats and role as gay best friend, and Kennah seems to exist entirely to be the butt of jokes and moral lessons, a stereotype of a medieval knight bro. Agnes is likable, but doesn't go much beyond being really nice and brave and good at her job. Auric is in full Dad Mode. Two things ultimately saved this book for me, enough that I want to keep reading the story. First, the ending. While the final revelation re the lore of the series is not a wholly original concept, it's presented very well here, tying in the plot of the previous book. Excited to see where this goes. Second, the character of Qeelb, a broken and unshackled atheist of a sorcerer. I'd read a whole book about him.

Julie Moran

Not nearly as good as the first book, and really, a bit of a slog to get through. Stylistically it is spot on. No one can accuse Mr. Shel of not having his prose down perfectly. My problem was first, with the pacing, second, with the character of Agnes-- I just never grew to like or care for her, and finally, with the ending. It was terribly predictable.

As to Agnes, well, her attitudes and viewpoints were very modern, and her Syraeic brother, Kennah, his attitudes had to oppose hers to the extreme if we were going to expose her ideals. Not that I disagree with her or agree with Kennah, but it was just too modern. I don't read fic to deal with the same crap I see around me. You'll understand that if you read the book.

I won't spoil the end, but just that given how it landed, I have little reason to continue with this series. Sorry Mike!

J. Pike

The Iconoclasts Trilogy has everything you want in an epic tale: rich and textured world building, heroes you root for, and high-stakes adventure. Mike Shel weaves dark and brooding atmosphere, memorable villains, and merciless dungeons with a mastery that makes his books stand out among dark fantasy; yet it’s his deft handling of trauma and healing that make them some of the most memorable stories I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.

I wrote a full appreciation of the trilogy here:
https://www.jzacharypike.com/blog/202...

Terrible Timy

This review was originally posted on
Queen's Book Asylum!

I got a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Since it’s been 3 years since I’ve read Aching God, the first book in the Iconoclasts series, it took me a bit of time to get back into the world Mike Shel built. This time I went with the audiobook, which didn’t make it any easier as I wasn’t really a fan of Simon Vance‘s narration. Don’t get me wrong, he has a nice voice and I liked how he portrayed the voices of different characters, but there is something in the way he narrates that took me a very long time to get used to. But this is purely a personal preference and in the end, did not affect my enjoyment of the book.

Sin Eater takes place some months after the events in Aching God. Auric goes into retirement and intends to enjoy his remaining life with Hannah on his side. Only, duty – and most importantly the curiosity and thirst for knowledge – can call him back to Hanifax. Which eventually leads to a mission he can’t refuse.

Joined by his daughter, Agnes, another Syraeic knight Sir Kennah, Belu’s priest Sira (whom I apparently really liked in book one, a pity we didn’t get to see her more here), a broken sorcerer Qeelb, and an ex thief Chalka they set out to visit the Oracle in Pember’s temple. And that’s all I’m willing to say about the plot. But be assured, there is a lot more going on than this short paragraph implies. But I wouldn’t want to ruin your reading experience. There were some neat twists, especially toward the end, most of which I saw coming but they were still very satisfying in veryfying my suspicions.

There is a fairly large cast in Sin Eater, which is a two-sided blade. On one hand, we have a diverse cast – quite literally. On the other, some of them don’t get nearly enough spotlight for us to get them to know well. That’s not saying these characters aren’t well fleshed out though. Queen Genevive remains to be one of the most intriguing characters to whom joins the old Aerican. With his tales and air of – sometimes rather “annoying” – mystery. And a character from the past who brings a bit of gruesome twist into the equation. But the central character remains to be Auric.

One of the most interesting things about Sin Eater is Shel‘s portrayal of Auric and Agnes’ relationship. And I daresay, this is the real core of the book. Not the mission, the political intrigue we get to see more of, or any other plotlines. They are there and they are important, sure, but I think this book is more than just another adventure epic fantasy.

From Auric’s POV, Sin Eater is about coming to terms with his failings, and prejudices. To try and see his daughter not as a child who needs his protection, but as the capable woman she had become. The smart, compassionate, kind, capable woman. Their relationship, their different world view brought to mind my own relationship with my father, and the pretty recent realization of how differently we see the world and how far we’ve drifted from each other. As for Agnes, I really liked her. I can’t say I particularly connected with any of the characters, but she was probably the closest to it. Shel really has a way with character portrayals though. This is where I also need to mention Chalka. I loved how his friendship with Agnes was shown. And how Agnes defended his way of dressing as a woman when Auric complained about it. Showing it to him that he has prejudices indeed, whatever he might have thought before. With the inclusion of both Chalka and Qeelb, there is a strong message of acceptance within the pages.

Where I had some issues was the pacing of the book. Sometimes it felt like it was dragging a bit, especially during the part they journeyed from Hanifax. Sometimes I wished some parts were cut shorter and we got more lore about the Djao (what we learned about them in this installment was awesome!) and the gods. Though, when the political intrigue came into play I admit I was a bit lost of who these people were and what this has to do anything with the plot – I’m sure there will be answers to this in the third book – but it came a bit out of nowhere after the tighter – plotwise – Aching God.

I also felt a bit underwhelmed at the end, the end game was over a bit too quickly for my liking. But these are pretty minor things and probably something that comes down to personal preferences.

All my ramblings aside, Sin Eater is a worthy sequel to Aching God. It shows how much Shel improved as a writer as he finds his footing within the story he wants to tell. It definitely steps up from book one and opens up the scope of the story within the world, building up the foundation of something I expect to be a great ending to the trilogy. If you are into adventurous epic fantasy, a world with ancient gods, artifacts, and secrets waiting to be discovered springled with a few political intrigues, then I think you should check the Iconoclasts series out.

TheReadingStray

This Series is a love letter for all Diablo Fans!

Sandy Morley

Even better than Aching God, Sin Eater has a fully-realised cast, Prophecy that doesn't stink, and hints of criticism that more artsy types lap up. All on top of a maturity rare for the genre and a slightly faster pace than its predecessor that makes it more adventure than tragedy. Loved it.

Alec Voin

Sin Eater takes everything that made the first book a wonderous reading experience and turns it up a few notches, adding in a grander story, much deeper themes, incredible characterizations (made far greater, subtle, intricate and realistic by the fact that the author has worked as a psychotherapist for well over 20 years and it damn shows) and a climax filled with revelations, heart and action. An absolutely brilliant book!

jillz

Sophmore novel from the author in his Iconoclasts series. The focus of this novel is on the protagonist from the first novel and his daughter and their evolving relationship. It's not a straight dungeon crawl type novel like the first and I found the pacing a bit off. It took forever to reach what I thought was the main 'quest' of the book and the denouement and conclusion felt very abrupt. I did enjoy the world building and the character interactions.

Drsilent

A worthy sequel in the series. This one takes up more or less where the first one left off, and delves deeper into the mythology and pantheon of this world. We get to figure out what's going on with the creepy unkillable queen, and what the gods are really all about. I'm always partial to this kind of mythological exposition and really appreciated the way this was delivered here. Saw some of it coming, but not all!

There are also some powerful segments in there. The shock psychological therapy sessions administered by the Sin Eaters of the title were particularly well done, I thought. A few of the new supporting cast of characters also felt like very good additions. And as in the first book, Shel does not shy from violent and final endings, to say the least. I think this is actually better than the first book.

It is very obvious that a third book must follow, and I have a pretty good idea where it is going. Sign me up!

James Harwood-Jones

Szaa’da’shaela speaks on edge of the mind. It is a shrouded place…this world. Sorcery & dark intent encumber a path pledged. Ahead lies confrontation of sin.

This series…wow. Absolutely enthralled. Beautifully disturbing. So so good.

slagathor

The feelings this book caused in me are best described in one sentence: I am disappoint. While Aching God figuratively blew my mind, Sin Eater was exactly as uncomfortable as sitting in a cave with one. Although the the beginning was as strong as Aching God, the whole middle of the book was a painful slog at best. The ending managed to drag my rating up from 2.5 to a 3, but I'll be honest, giving this a 3 makes me feel quite generous. If this would have been the first book of the series, I might not have bothered continuing at all.

So, let me take up the foul smelling and unpleasant mantle of said Sin Eater and dig through all the sins this book has committed.

Sin Number One: The Irksome Relationship of Auric and Agnes

I get it, these two have Issues(TM), but I'm not shitting you when I say, most of the book revolves around either Agnes getting pissed at her dad or Auric being overprotective. Not to mention, how Agnes took basically ANY gesture as condescending (by anyone for that matter). Halfway in I was begging the book to make them finally sit down and let them sort it out, because their constant passive-aggressive way of acting toward each other was getting on my damn nerves. This also caused the utter lack of any kind of group dynamic that I loved so much in Aching God, because we mainly focused on the shitstorm happening between daughter and father, which would have been alright if it went anywhere, but it never really did.

Sin Number Two: Agnes The Useless

Remember how in book one we read so much about how Agnes was this wunderkind of an adventurer? Well, don't worry, we get to read even more about how awesome she is at the beginning of the book! But when it comes down to the actual adventure this book is about, she blunders more than me during my first (and second, and third... you get the gist) chess game. All the time I was longing for that epic, mature adventurer woman whom I've heard so much about, but instead got someone who keeps sulking, making rookie mistakes and acts without thinking. Except for a few rare occasions, I was wondering if all those stories of our capable Agnes were actually that, stories.

Sin Number Three: The supporting characters who are only there to literally support Auric and Agnes

I'm looking at you, Chalca and Queelb, because I'm sorry, but I can't be bothered with Kennah. I know that the supporting cast of characters being more in the background is kind of a norm. But since in Aching God the group's dynamic was so fluid, their personalities unique and their connections felt genuine, I felt that the side characters are as much part of the story as the main one(s). Here we get introduced to two unique personalities who seem to play shockingly little part in the whole adventure except their few deus ex machina moments. And then we have Kennah about whom we learn barely anything and who is just there to be the meat shield. There are glimpses and hints at a personality hidden behind that unkempt beard, but in the end, he just stays a 2D character and .

The Biggest Sin of Them All: Where's my excitement at?

Aching God had me feeling dread, anguish, horror and excitement almost entirely throughout the book. I cared for the story as much as I cared for our protagonists. Sin Eater had me feeling bored, annoyed and disappointed. Yes, the book HAD a really strong start, I won't deny that. But that made all of the middle even worse to suffer through. And although some said it had an epic end, in my opinion it was okay at best, but maybe the long journey of getting there simply numbed and distorted my experience. Besides, I could pretty much see the twist from a mile away and was expecting most of the things that happened there, which also kinda left me feeling... well, bored! So hear my judgement: The book's biggest sin is mediocrity.

Alas, this might not have been the worst book I've ever read, but it was one that disappointed me the most. Maybe my bar was set too high after the incredible Aching God. Or maybe I just vibed so well with it, that I didn't notice its pitfalls. Nonetheless, I will soldier on, because as dull as this book was, it set the stage for the third one and I wish to see the story to the end. And I'm hoping book three will spreads its terribly mesmerizing wings and take me away on one last fearful, horrific, yet exciting adventure.

Title	:	Sin Eater (Iconoclasts, #2)
Author	:	Mike Shel
Rating	:
ISBN	:	-
Language	:	English
Format Type	:	Kindle Edition
Number of Pages	:	574
Publication	:	First published May 16, 2019

Sin Eater (Iconoclasts, #2) by Mike Shel

Sin Eater (Iconoclasts, #2) Reviews

Sin Eater (Iconoclasts, #2) Reviews

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